David Bowie cremated in New York without friends or family

David Bowie has been privately cremated in New York without any of his family or friends present, according to reports.

A view of the Times Square Hard Rock Cafe marquee paying tribute to the late rock legend David Bowie. Picture: Getty Images

The cremation is said to have taken place soon after his death on Sunday and, in line with his wishes, there was no funeral or memorial service.

A publicist for the late singer said they were “neither confirming nor denying” the claims.

It comes as Bowie’s long-time friend and collaborator, Tony Visconti, revealed the musician had been planning to record another album before his death at the age of 69 after an 18-month battle with cancer.

Although Bowie’s last record, Blackstar, was released just days before he died, the veteran producer said he was intent on making a follow-up immediately.

Visconti said Bowie called him around a fortnight ago to say he had written and demoed five new songs and wanted to record them.

“He still hoped for time to record new music,” he said. “I was thrilled, and I thought, and he thought, that he’d have a few months, at least. Obviously, if he’s excited about doing his next album, he must’ve thought he had a few more months.”

Bowie will be honoured with a tribute at next month’s Brit Awards, as well as a memorial concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall on 31 March.

Blackstar looks certain to hold on to the number one spot in the charts on Friday and is likely to be his first number one album in the US.